Michael Olunga showcased his brilliance yet again as Al Duhail secured a spot in the QSL Cup final with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Al Wakra. The Harambee Stars captain played a pivotal role, providing two key assists that ensured his team emerged victorious in a hard-fought semifinal encounter.
The match began with a tense and goalless first half, where both teams had moments of promise but failed to break the deadlock. Al Duhail saw two goals disallowed by VAR, including one from Luis Alberto, adding to the frustration of the home side. Despite the setbacks, Olunga and his teammates remained composed and determined to take control in the second half.
Just two minutes into the second half, Olunga made his mark. Breaking away on a swift counterattack, he used his strength and skill to hold off his marker before delivering a precise pass to Benjamin Bourigeaud. The French midfielder made no mistake, firing the ball into the net from just inside the box. The goal was a deserved breakthrough for Al Duhail, who had dominated possession and created the better chances up to that point.
However, Al Wakra refused to back down. In the 57th minute, they were awarded a penalty after a clumsy challenge in the box. Ricardo Gomes stepped up and converted the spot-kick, sending the ball past goalkeeper Bautista Burke to level the score at 1-1. The equalizer injected new life into the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
As the match progressed, tensions began to rise. Al Wakra’s Abdelaziz Mitwali received a straight red card in stoppage time, reducing the visitors to 10 men and giving Al Duhail a significant advantage heading into extra time. With the numerical superiority, Al Duhail pushed forward relentlessly in search of a winner.
In the 108th minute, Olunga once again demonstrated his value to the team. Spotting an opening on the left flank, he delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Bourigeaud, who managed to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle. The goal restored Al Duhail’s lead and sent their fans into raptures.
Just four minutes later, substitute Ismail Ali Heider put the game beyond Al Wakra’s reach. Receiving a pass from Luis Alberto, Heider unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, making it 3-1. The goal capped off a dominant extra-time performance by Al Duhail, who took full advantage of their opponents’ reduced numbers.
Al Wakra’s frustrations boiled over in the closing stages, with Ahmed Fadel receiving a late red card to compound their misery. Despite their spirited effort throughout the tournament, their cup run came to an end as Al Duhail marched on to the final.
The victory marks Al Duhail’s second QSL Cup final appearance in three years. They will face Al Arabi on December 20, with hopes of adding another trophy to their collection. For Olunga, this is yet another opportunity to showcase his leadership and skill on the big stage. The Kenyan forward, who has been instrumental in Al Duhail’s success over the years, continues to solidify his legacy both at the club and internationally.
Olunga’s contributions in this match underline his importance to Al Duhail. As the team’s all-time leading scorer, he has consistently delivered in crucial moments, and his ability to create opportunities for his teammates adds another dimension to his game. With his sights set on the final, Olunga will be eager to lead his team to glory once more.
Al Duhail fans will undoubtedly be counting on their talisman to deliver another stellar performance in the final. With the domestic league title already under their belt from the previous season, a QSL Cup victory would be the perfect way to cap off a remarkable campaign.
